Visas and Immigration

Visas and immigration

Students coming to the United States for
the express purpose of study and expecting to return to their respective
countries of citizenship upon graduation should apply for the F-1 Student Visa.

Applying for an F-1 visa involves three important steps.

Step 1 - Obtain a Form I-20

The Form I-20
serves as an official notice of admission to a college in the U.S. and
certifies your eligibility to apply for an F-1 Student Visa.

After
you are admitted to Messiah College and you have demonstrated your ability to
finance your education, you will need to request your Form I-20 from the
College. After you receive the Form I-20, verify that all information is
accurate, then sign your I-20 and keep it safe as you would your other
immigration documents (passport, visa, etc.).

Step 2 - Pay I-901 Fee (SEVIS fee)

Complete
the Form I-901 online
and supply the necessary credit card information. Be sure to type your
name exactly as it appears on your Form I-20.

Print
a copy of your online payment receipt. This will be required at your visa
interview.

Make
copies of your receipt (as you will surrender the original at your visa
interview) and keep them with your other immigration documents.

Step 3 - Complete F-1 Visa Interview

Contact
the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your country/region to inquire about
applying for an F-1 student visa. Locate your nearest U.S. Consulate or
Embassy at http://www.usembassy.gov.

After
receiving your acceptance letter and Form I-20 from Messiah College,
follow your U.S. Embassy/Consulate’s instructions to schedule an F-1
Student Visa interview. Be aware that you may have to wait weeks or even
months for an available appointment, so request an appointment as early as
possible.

Financial documents, dated within a few months
of your interview, demonstrating that you have sufficient funds to cover
your tuition and living expenses throughout your time at Messiah College

Any other information demonstrating your intent
to return to your home country upon completion of your studies in the U.S.
(proof of property, family, ties to the community, etc.)

Be
sure you understand the financial situation of your parents and any others
committing to sponsor you, as listed on the International Financial Form
you sent to Messiah College. You will often be asked questions such as:

What savings do your parents/sponsors have and
what will they give to you?

How will they cover their other family expenses
and still support you in the U.S.?

Remember
that officials are looking for evidence that you have strong ties to your own
country. They want to verify that your time in the U.S. will be temporary—to
study—and that you do plan to return to your own country when your education is
complete. Additional questions may include:

Why did you choose Messiah College?

Why did you choose your major area of study?

Can you demonstrate your awareness of the
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, area?